Helmet holder for a vision device, in particular for a night vision device

ABSTRACT

A holder for fixing at least one vision device, in particular a night vision device ( 2 ) on a head covering, such as a helmet ( 5 ), of a user ( 1 ), comprises a support element ( 7 ) which can be fixed indirectly or directly to the helmet ( 5 ), an arm ( 8 ) coordinated with the support element ( 7 ), a receptacle ( 9 ) for the vision device being arranged so as to be pivotable about the arm ( 8 ), with the result that a pivot movement of the vision device between an operating position and a rest position is permitted. A rotating element non-rotatably connected to the receptacle ( 9 ) is coordinated with the arm ( 8 ), a spring being arranged on the rotating element in a manner such that the receptacle ( 9 ) is under spring force both in the operating position and in the rest position. Furthermore, a stop element ( 13 ) is provided, by means of which the position of the vision device in the operating position can be set and fixed in a defined manner.

The invention relates to a helmet holder for a vision device, inparticular for a night vision device, according to the preamble of claim1.

Various vision devices, for example night vision or thermal imagingdevices, are used for very specific applications by military, police andborder protection forces in order to be able to carry out operationunder poor visual or light conditions or in darkness. Night visiondevices, for example, amplify the low light level and produce an imagevisible to the human eye.

Night vision devices, like binoculars, can be used independently andmanually. They are used—like binoculars—as a binocular version havingseparate eyepieces for each eye or as a monocular version having onlyone eyepiece.

In most cases, for example in military or police use, it is necessaryfor the user to have his hands free and for the vision device, forexample a night vision device, to be fixed on the wearer's head, forexample to be fastened to a head covering, preferably a helmet.

Depending on light conditions, the night vision device is used in anoperating position in front of the user's eye or in a rest position inwhich the night vision device is held outside the field of vision of theuser. For adaptation to the different head shapes and eye positions ofthe user, it is necessary to have adjustment mechanisms which enable theuser to carry out adaptation to his personal needs.

In many applications, the user needs to obtain a constantly steadyimage, even in the case of extreme physical movements, such as runningor jumping, or in the case of vibrations during driving; the eyepiece ofthe vision device should be capable of executing only a minimum relativemovement. In other applications, the user is dependent on the nightvision device being held in a position very close to the head, both inthe operating position and in the rest position, and not projectingsubstantially beyond the user's head either in the horizontal directionor in particular in a vertical direction.

Simple helmet fixing means are known, for example from U.S. Pat. No.4,457,461, which however have no possibility of enabling the nightvision device to be removed from the field of vision under adequatelight conditions without having to remove it by an inconvenientprocedure.

For eliminating this deficiency, systems having pivot mechanisms arebeing constructed. An exemplary embodiment of this type is disclosed inDE-69321234. In the system described there, the night vision device isfixed by means of a connecting piece to a slide which is fixed by meansof a pivot fitting to the fitting fixed to the head covering by a strut,in a manner so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis. The fixing of theoperating and rest position is effected by a spring-loaded catchapparatus.

What proves to be disadvantageous in such arrangements is that the struthaving an axel shaft forms an axis of rotation above the front helmetedge, with the result that, in the rest position, the night visiondevice projects very considerably beyond the body height of the user.Because of this circumstance, there is a considerable danger of damagewhen passing through door frames or other obstacles limiting the heightof passage, and furthermore use in low rooms, such as in vehicle cabins,is greatly restricted.

In order to obtain a mounting which permits good movement about thepivot axis, a certain play is required between the components, and thisis equally necessary for protection from jamming between the componentsof spring-loaded catch apparatuses. In summary, this results, in thelocked positions, chiefly in the operating position of the visiondevice, to a greater extent owing to the long lever arm of the eyepiecerelatively far away from the pivot axis, in an instability in the regionof a few tenths of a millimeter. During fast running or in the event ofvibrations, there is a relative movement between the user's eye and theeyepiece owing to inertia, which leads to an unstable image.

A further disadvantage is that the locking springs exert the springforce only in the immediate region of the operating and rest positionand there is no compensation of the weight of the night vision device.In the event of sudden release of the locking in the rest position dueto external effects, such as impact or during jumping, the night visiondevice may fall through its own weight with possibly great speed fromthe rest position into the operating position, which can lead toirritation and shock for the user and, if the helmet fits loosely, evento eye injuries.

In order to overcome the disadvantage of the prior art, an object of thepresent invention is to provide a holder for a vision device so that thevision device, in particular night vision device, is held in such a waythat—during any use—a steady image which is as free of vibration aspossible is obtained. Furthermore, or alternatively, a compactarrangement of the vision device should be possible both in the restposition and in the operating position. Furthermore, or alternatively,the vision device should remain held as reliably as possible in the restposition—even under impact-like effects—so that unintended, suddenswivelling of the vision device into the operating position, which maystartle the user, is avoidable. Furthermore, or alternatively, inparticular abrupt movements of the vision device, at least those fromthe rest position to the operating position should be damped.

This object is achieved by a holder for a vision device, in which thedefining features of the independent claims are realized. Alternative oradvantageous developments are described by the defining clauses of thedependent claims.

According to the invention, freedom from play of the holder—visiondevice system is ensured by the installation, the arrangement and thedesign of a spring-mechanism. The possible plays are pretensioned byspring force so that no plays become effective until this force has beenovercome, since the interlocking of all parts due to the gaps betweenthe individual components being closed under pressure of the springforce is completely retained.

If a damping element is co-ordinated with the rotating element which isarranged on the arm and is non-rotatably connected to the receptacle forthe vision device, on movement of the vision device—at least on movementfrom the rest position to the operating position—its speed of movementis reduced at least over a partial range of the movement. Thus, shock orirritation or even possibly injuries to the user owing to uncontrolledhasty handling of the vision device or owing to unintentional swivellingof the device caused by external effects are avoidable. The movementtakes place slowly and in a damped manner without the user beingemotionally or physically impaired.

Such damping elements are provided according to the invention inparticular in combination with the spring mechanism, substantially in aparallel position, but may also advantageously be used by themselvesalone in known holders, specifically damping such abrupt movements ofvision devices from a certain position—generally the rest position—toanother position—generally the operating position.

The spring mechanism is furthermore dimensioned so that at least partialcompensation of the weight of all moving parts occurs.

In order to limit the pivot movement and hence to fix the end operatingposition of the vision device in front of the user's eye, a stop elementis provided, by adjustment of which the horizontal distance of theeyepiece of the vision device from the user's eye can be adjusted in acertain range.

The adjusting elements by means of which the position of the visiondevice relative to the position of the eye of a user wearing the helmetcan be established are formed in such a way that the projection of partsof the vision device beyond the head height in the rest position isminimized. This is achieved by nesting of the elements effecting thevertical and horizontal adjustment.

Below, the invention is described in more detail purely by way ofexample with reference to an embodiment.

FIG. 1: shows a helmet mounted on a user's head and comprising a holderaccording to the invention which supports a monocular night visiondevice; the night vision device is present in the operating position infront of the user's eye;

FIG. 2: shows a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1; the night vision deviceis swivelled upward away from the user's eye and is in the restposition;

FIG. 3: shows a view of the holder in the operating position fromobliquely below (as seen by the user);

FIG. 4: shows a view, corresponding to FIG. 3, of the holder in theoperating position from obliquely above (as seen by the user);

FIG. 5: shows a sectional view of the holder in the operating position;

FIG. 6: shows a sectional view of the holder in the rest position;

FIG. 7: shows a detailed section corresponding to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8: shows a sectional view perpendicular to FIG. 5;

FIG. 9: shows a schematic side view of the holder with indicated helmetand head of the user;

FIG. 10 to 13: show developments of spring mechanisms;

FIG. 14 and 15: show developments for damping elements.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a holder according to the invention for a visiondevice, here purely by way of example a monocular night vision device 2,which is arranged on a head covering of a user 1, which head covering isin the form of a helmet 5. In FIG. 1, the night vision device 2 ispositioned in the operating position with the eyepiece 3 of the nightvision device 2 in front of the eye of the user 1; in FIG. 2 it is shownin the rest position, swivelled away from the field of view of the user1. A plate-like support element 7 having hook-like retaining brackets 16a is held on the edge of the helmet 5 and is connected via a tensioningstrap 6 to an accessory unit 34 which is intended for holding, forexample, batteries, interfaces and/or control units and which in turn isfixed to the helmet 5 by hook-like retaining brackets 16 b. The fixationby tensioning of the tensioning strap 6 is effected in the accessoryunit 34 and is not described in more detail here.

An arm 8 which a clamping screw for the lateral adjustment 14 fixes inthe position desired by the user 1 is inserted in a laterallydisplaceable manner in a transverse groove 35 provided on the supportelement 7. The position of the arm 8 can be optionally fixed—as shownhere—over the right eye or, alternatively in a second retained position32, over the left eye. The use of two arms 8 having a pivot mechanism 43and adjusting elements 10, 11 for the use of two night vision devices 2is also possible. It will also be possible to provide a single armarranged in the middle of the transverse groove for holding a binocularvision device.

The arm 8 supports a rotatably mounted receptacle 9 to which the nightvision device 2 can be coupled. The first adjusting element 10 which isvertically adjustable in the operating position, permits the verticalpositioning of the night vision device 2 relative to the position of theeye of the user 1 wearing the helmet 5 and furthermore a secondadjusting element 11 for the horizontal positioning of the night visiondevice 2 relative to the position of the eye of the user 1 aredisplaceably inserted into the receptacle 9. Both adjusting elements 10,11 are fixed in the position desired by the user by means of clampingscrews 15 which project through slots 26 (cf. FIG. 9) in the firstadjusting element 10 and slots 25 (cf. FIG. 8) in the second adjustingelement 11 and are each locked by means of a nut 27(cf. FIG. 8).

The night vision device 2 is detachably fixed to the second adjustingelement 11 by means of a push button 12.

The night vision device 2 shown here by way of example, substantiallycomprises a base body 39 comprising a low light level amplifier, anobjective 4 and an eyepiece 3.

FIG. 2 shows the slight projection 36 of the night vision device 2beyond the helmet 5 in the rest position. Although this may be due onthe one hand to the exemplary advantageous folding of the opticalassembly of the night vision device shown by way of example in FIG. 1and 2, it is on the other hand—according to the invention—expedient forany—including conventional—vision device owing to the compact combinedarrangement of the two adjusting elements 10, 11 with the pivotmechanism 43.

FIG. 3 shows the support element 7 with the retaining brackets 16 a andspacers 37, which define the support of the support element 7 relativeto the helmet, which is not shown in this diagram. For inner coveringand optionally stiffening of the support element 7, a protectivecovering 17 is provided. The two adjusting elements 10, 11 with theirnesting arrangement within the receptacle 9 are clearly visible. Thenight vision device 2 can be coupled to/in a receptacle part 38 providedon the second adjusting element 11 and having a coupling part 23 whichis intended to ensure the mechanical and electrical connection of thenight vision device 2 to the holder.

FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of a stop element 13 which limits the pivotmovement of the receptacle 9 about the arm 8. The stop element 13 isarranged on the support element 7, in the form of a bolt adjustable inheight. The lower end 13 a of the stop element 13, which end is directedfrom the holder 13 b of the stop element 13 towards the receptacle 9will, depending on extension, determine the pivoting end position of thereceptacle 9 in the operating position, as described in more detailfurther below.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a section through parts of the helmet holder,FIG. 5 showing the operating position and FIG. 6 the rest position. Abolt 19 which is surrounded by an eye on that end of a tension spring 18which faces the support element 7 is arranged in the arm 8. A furthereye at that end of the tension spring 18 which faces away therefromsurrounds a bolt-like lug 20 a, arranged eccentrically on a rotatingelement 20. The rotating element 20 is non-rotatably connected to thereceptacle 9. In the operating position, the tension of the tensionspring 18 exerts a torque on the rotating element 20 and hence on thereceptacle 9, with the result that the night vision device 2 (not shownhere) is pressed against the user's head. The distance moved is limitedby the stop which is formed by the stop element 13 for the receptacle 9(FIG. 4 and FIG. 9). By—for example—rotational adjustment of the stopelement 13 in its holder 13 b—having, for example a thread—the length ofthe end 13 aprojecting from the holder 13 b is changed, and hence theend position of the receptacle 9 in the operating position isdetermined. As a result, not only is there limitation of the pivotingdistance from the rest position provided but at the same time a positionof the eyepiece of the vision device slightly tilted in the horizontaldirection relative to the user's eye can also be set.

All plays in the region of the bearing 33 a, 33 b, 33 c (FIG. 8) aboutthe axis 20 c of rotation are pretensioned by the spring force of thetension spring 18, with the result that the plays are virtuallyundetectable even when the user experiences vibrations. If the nightvision device is moved upward to the rest position, the spring 18 istensioned. In the region of the rest position, as a result of thetension of the spring 18 and the eccentric arrangement of the bolt lug20 a on the rotating element 20, the latter is moved toward the restposition and is held in this position. The rest position is likewisedefined by a stop, in the example shown between second adjusting element11 and clamping screw for the lateral adjustment 14. A suitable designof the eccentric on the rotating element 20 and of the spring force iscapable of compensating at least a part of the weight of the nightvision device.

FIG. 5 shows the bush 23 which is inserted in the second adjustingelement 11 determining the horizontal alignment of the vision device andwhich can be locked and unlocked by the push button 12, and a pressurespring 22 (FIG. 6) which presses the push button 12 to a rest position.

FIG. 5 shows the guidance of the first adjusting element 10 whicheffects the height adjustment of the vision device in grooves 24 in thereceptacle 9 and the guidance of the first adjusting element in guides40 which are provided in the first adjusting element 10.

A transverse stiffening means 51 is arranged between the jaws of thefirst adjusting element 10, with the result that both a stiffeningfunction and a protection function against possible penetration of dirtare provided when the first adjusting element 10 is moved downward. Abush 23 is provided for the electrical and mechanical connection to thevision device to be docked.

FIG. 7 shows a greatly magnified sectional image in the region of thearrangement of the tension spring 18 and shows the torque variationduring the movement between operating position and rest position. Thedirection of the torque is indicated by arrow A in the region of theoperating position, by arrow R in the region of the rest position and bythe double-headed arrow N in the neutral region.

FIG. 8 shows a section through the receptacle 9 from the front in theplane of the pivot axis. The receptacle 9 is rotatably mounted by meansof bearings 33 a, 33 b, 33 c on the arm 8. These bearings are mounted inan advantageous manner for the smallest possible load during operationwith vibrations over a large area and over a large diameter. A slidingbearing 31 is used for permitting mounting. The rotating element 20 withthe bolt-like lug 20 a is rotatably mounted in the arm 8 andnon-rotatably connected to the receptacle 9. Thus, the torque generatedby the tension spring 18 is transmitted to the receptacle 9, with theresult that the torque variation shown in FIG. 7 is produced. Therespective extensive angular distances in which the torque is effectivemean that the night vision device springs back into the previousposition in the event of unintentional actuation, such as, for example,by impact.

In a further embodiment, a damping element is used, shown here by way ofexample as hydraulic rotary damper 28. The force transmission takesplace firstly from the arm 8 via a driver 29 to the outside of thedamping element and secondly from the receptacle 9 via a cam 41 to theend face of the rotary damper 28. As a result of the dynamic torqueresistance of the rotary damper 28, the speed of movement on changingthe position of the night vision device 2 from the rest position to theoperating position is reduced in order to avoid irritating and startlingthe user.

For protection from soiling, the arm 8 and the receptacle 9 are closedall round. In order to permit and/or simplify the mounting, openings areclosed by one or more covers, for example a cover 21 for the arm 8 (cf.FIG. 6) and a cover 30 coordinated with the rotating element 20.

FIG. 9 shows the adjusting mode of action of the stop element 13. Thiscontrol element is screwed into the holder 13 b arranged on the arm 8and can be rotated by the user to cover a stop adjustment distance 42.By screwing this stop element 13 in or out, the receptacle 9 whichsupports the eyepiece 3 of the night vision device 2, shown in FIG. 1,is turned slightly in the operating position, with the result that thedistance from the eye to the eyepiece is changed. This makes it possiblefor the user to carry out a fine correction of the eyepiece position ina very simple manner even with one hand.

FIG. 10 shows, in a further embodiment, the alternative use of apressure spring 18 a instead of the above-described tension spring,which is mounted between the bolt 19 and the bolt lug 20 a of therotating element 20 on suitable support apparatuses 49 a and 49 b andgenerates the torques according to FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 shows, in a further embodiment, the alternative use of a legspring 18 b, which acts via the legs between a stop or bolt 19 and thebolt lug 20 a of the rotating element 20 and generates the torquesaccording to FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 shows, in a further embodiment, the alternative use of a cupspring assembly 18 c, which is mounted between the bolt 19 and the boltlug 20 a of the turntable 20 on support apparatuses 49 c and 49 d andgenerates the torques according to FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 shows, in a further, alternative embodiment, a bolt lug 20 b,formed here by way of example with a link-like engaging surface 46 forthe spring 18. Consequently, the variation of the torque and thecompensation of the weight of the vision device can be adapted todifferent weights and centers of gravity in an advantageous manner.

FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment comprising a damping element in theform of a linear damper 47. As a result, the speed is reduced in atleast one direction of movement of the vision device. The linear dampermay be in the form of a pneumatic spring, a pneumatic cylinder or ahydraulic shock absorber. The damping element may be provided inaddition to the spring, in a plane substantially parallel to thearrangement of one of the springs 18 to 18 c described above.

FIG. 15 shows, in a further embodiment, a damping element in the form ofan end position damper 48, with the result that the speed of the visiondevice is reduced at least in one direction of movement at the endposition. The end position damper may be in the form of a buffer ofresilient material. If this damping element is provided in addition tothe spring, it is present in a plane substantially parallel to a planedetermined by the arrangement of the springs 18 to 18 c.

1. A holder for fixing at least one vision device, in particular a nightvision device (2), on a head covering, such as a helmet (5), of a user(1), comprising a support element (7) which can be fixed indirectly ordirectly to the helmet (5) an arm (8) coordinated with the supportelement (7), a receptacle (9) for the vision device being arranged so asto be pivotable about the arm (8), thus permitting a pivot movement ofthe vision device between an operating position and a rest position,wherein a rotating element (20) non-rotatably connected to thereceptacle (9) is coordinated with the arm (8), a spring (18) beingarranged on the rotating element (20) in a manner such that thereceptacle (9) is under spring force both in the operating position andin the rest position.
 2. The holder as claimed in claim 1, comprising astop element (13) by means of which the position of the vision devicecan be set and fixed in a defined manner in the operating position. 3.The holder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring (18) is fixedat one end to the rotating element (20) eccentrically relative to anaxis (20 c) of rotation about which the pivot movement takes place. 4.The holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the springis in the form of a tension, pressure or leg spring.
 5. The holder asclaimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein a link-like engaging surface (46) forthe spring (18) is provided on the rotating element.
 6. The holder forfixing at least one vision device, in particular a night vision device(2), on a head covering, such as a helmet (5), of a user (1), comprisinga support element (7) which can be fixed indirectly or directly to thehelmet (5) an arm (8) coordinated with the support element (7), areceptacle (9) for the vision device being arranged so as to bepivotable about the arm (8), thus permitting a pivot movement of thevision device between an operating position and a rest position, inparticular as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein therotating element (20) non-rotatably connected to the receptacle (9) iscoordinated with the arm (8), a damping element (28, 47, 48) beingcoordinated with the rotating element (20) in a manner such that, onmovement of the vision device—at least on movement from the restposition to the operating position—the speed of movement is reduced atleast over a partial range of the movement.
 7. The holder as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the damping element, preferably in the form of a lineardamper (47), is fixed at one end to the rotating element (20)eccentrically relative to an axis (20 c) of rotation about which thepivot movement takes place.
 8. The holder as claimed in claim 7, whereinthe damping element is in the form of a pneumatic spring, pneumaticcylinder or hydraulic shock absorber.
 9. The holder as claimed in claim6, wherein the damping element (48) can be brought into operativeconnection with a limiting stop (50) corresponding to at least one endposition of the movement of the vision device, the limiting stop (50)being arranged on the rotating element (20) eccentrically relative to anaxis (20 c) of rotation about which the pivot movement takes place. 10.The holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the arm(8) is arranged displaceably in the support element (7) and can bedetachably fixed at any desired selectable position.
 11. The holder asclaimed in a ny of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (7)is provided for holding two vision devices.
 12. The holder as claimed inany of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (9) for the visiondevice has a first adjusting element (10) for vertical positioning ofthe vision device relative to the position of the eye of the user (1)wearing the helmet (5) and in particular a second adjusting element (11)for the horizontal positioning of the vision device relative to theposition of the eye of the user (1) wearing the helmet (5).
 13. Theholder as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first adjusting element (10)is in the form of a slide—in particular a U-shaped slide—which ismovable—in particular within the receptacle (9)—and can be fixed in anydesired position.
 14. The holder as claimed in claim 13, wherein thesecond adjusting element (11) is in the form of a slide which ismovable—in particular movable within the first adjusting element(11)—and can be fixed in any desired position.
 15. The holder as claimedin any of claims 12 to 14, wherein a coupling part (23) for thedetachable fixing of the vision device is provided on one of the twoadjusting elements (10, 11), preferably on the second adjusting element(11).